A key supply of low-cost housing is under threat from extreme weather, rising sea levels, and other impacts of climate change.

Manufactured housing, often described as mobile homes (despite the high cost of relocation for these units), offers some of the most affordable housing in many parts of the country.
But with climate disasters posing growing threats to residential communities, manufactured home residents face some of the highest risks, writes Sarah Amandolare in Nexus Media News. “Across the U.S., biased zoning has sited many manufactured housing communities in precarious ‘fringe environments,’ such as floodplains and fire-prone urban edges, according to Zachary Lamb, a climate adaptation researcher at UC Berkeley.”
As Amandolare explains, climate change is now causing more destructive weather events in these areas, forcing communities to find ways to keep residents safe or relocate without raising the cost of living. A Vermont program in the Tri-Park Cooperative, a resident-owned mobile home community, could provide a new model for assisting homeowners with relocation. “Tri-Park residents each pay the same monthly rent to the co-op for their lot – an amount that won’t change for those who relocate – and the cost of their new homes will be covered by Vermont’s new Flood Resilient Communities Fund, rather than FEMA.” The program is administered by Vermont Emergency Management and was allocated $14.75 million by the state in 2022.
FULL STORY: Mobile Homes Offer Low-Cost Living. Now, They’re Threatened by Climate Change.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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